Charged EVs | South 8 says its liquefied gas electrolyte offers safe performance in extreme temperatures

As EV-haters continually remind us, the liquid electrolytes utilized in present EV batteries can catch hearth and even explode in emergency conditions resembling a charging fault or a crash, or within the case of a faulty cell. Solid-state cells are anticipated to be a lot safer, however they’re just beginning to appear in restricted numbers of manufacturing autos.

South 8 Applied sciences has developed what seems to be an alternate. The corporate’s Arctic LiGas 18650 cell, launched on the current Superior Automotive Battery Convention in San Diego, replaces the poisonous and flammable liquid electrolyte with a patented “liquefied gasoline electrolyte.”

South 8 says LiGas reduces hearth dangers, and in addition presents a wider vary of working temperatures: from -60 to +60° C. The San Diego-based firm is at the moment delivery Arctic LiGas cells to pick prospects for deployments in numerous purposes together with protection, EVs, stationary storage and battery-powered industrial tools. Arctic is the primary in a household of lithium-ion battery cell codecs and chemistries that South 8 plans to introduce.

“LiGas addresses severe lithium-ion ache factors: hearth danger and depleted vitality at low temperatures,” stated South 8 CEO Tom Stepien. “Arctic LiGas cells clear up these ‘hearth and ice’ issues by minimizing thermal propagation with a non-toxic mix of gases that dissipate harmlessly when punctured or overheated. Arctic cells have the trade’s lowest working temperature, offering vitality all the way down to minus 60° C (-76° F). We’re excited to assist our prospects safely and effectively function in new environments and purposes.”

Supply: South 8 Technologies